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Published on: November 10, 2014
Pulmonary artery pressure via endobronchial ultrasound: A feasibility and safety study
S Michael Goertzen1, Joshua Boster1, Georgie Eapen1
1Departments of Pulmonology, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, Tex.
Objectives:
Pulmonary hypertension significantly influences perioperative outcomes in thoracic surgery. Right heart catheterization, the standard method to assess pulmonary artery pressure, is invasive and time-consuming. We aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of direct pulmonary artery pressure measurement through endobronchial ultrasound-guided puncture of the right pulmonary artery.
Methods:
Twenty patients underwent ultrasound-guided puncture of the right pulmonary artery using a 22-gauge needle under real-time ultrasound guidance. Systolic, diastolic, and mean pulmonary pressures were recorded via a pressure transducer. Procedural success and complications were assessed.
Results:
Pulmonary artery puncture was successfully completed in all 20 patients (100%). Mean systolic pulmonary pressure was 26.5 ± 7.6 mm Hg, mean diastolic pulmonary pressure was 16.4 ± 6.3 mm Hg, and mean pulmonary pressure was 20.7 ± 6.6 mm Hg. No complications, including bleeding, vessel injury, pneumothorax, or infection occurred.
Conclusions:
Endobronchial ultrasound guided puncture of the right pulmonary artery appears to be a safe and effective method for direct pulmonary artery pressure measurement, potentially improving preoperative risk assessment without additional procedural risks.
